putin-to-visit-india-in-december

Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to India in December at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even as New Delhi faces steep tariff threats from US President Donald Trump over its ties with Moscow.

 

The Kremlin had earlier confirmed that Putin had accepted Modi’s invitation during May, though the two sides had not finalised a date. The report of his December trip comes as Modi is scheduled to meet the Russian leader on September 1 in Tianjin, China, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

 

This will mark Putin’s first visit to India since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. The trip carries significant weight amid shifting global alignments, with India’s relations with the United States under strain while its engagements with Russia and China deepen.

 

Tensions between Washington and New Delhi have escalated after Trump announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods over its continued trade with Russia, raising the overall duty to 50 per cent. US officials have accused India of indirectly funding the Ukraine conflict through its crude oil imports from Moscow.

 

The Indian government has rejected the US stance, calling the tariff move “hypocritical” and “unfair.” Officials stressed that crude oil purchases are driven by market conditions, with national interest remaining the priority.

 

India has also highlighted what it views as double standards, pointing out that several major economies, including European nations, continue trading with Russia.

 

Despite Washington’s pressure, New Delhi has shown no intention of halting its oil imports, with Russia emerging as a primary supplier since the imposition of Western sanctions on Moscow.

 

Russia, in turn, has publicly backed India. Calling the US tariffs “unjustified” and “double standards,” the Russian embassy said: “If Indian goods cannot go to the US market, they can head to Russia.”

 

Putin’s upcoming visit is expected to cover a wide agenda, including economic cooperation, energy partnerships, and defence ties. Russia remains one of India’s largest defence partners, with strategic links dating back to the Soviet era.